ESTEBAN FARIAS
Interview with Handler
BIS Magazine USA December 2020 issue
Q: Hi Esteban, thank you for taking the time to answer the following questions for Best In Show Magazine.
A: We know you were born into the sport, and that your family bred Dobermans.
Q: Tell us more about your family and how did you start?
A: We started with Dobermans back in 1984 when we moved from the farm to Buenos Aires. We became interested in the breed after watching the movie The Doberman Gang. I ask my mom and dad if we could get one, and after several long conversations, they said yes! We bought our first Doberman from an advertisement in the newspaper. The veterinarian who cropped our dog’s ears introduced us to dog shows.
My father, Hector Farias, started showing the dog and never won anything. After attending many shows without success, he started learning about structure and conformation. We decided to contact reputable breeders Rosa Rivera and William Pacheco of Will-Ross Kennel for a show quality puppy.
They invited my mother, Alicia, and father to their house, and that night they came back home with a new puppy who would eventually be named Will-Ross Dulcinea Black.
My father started showing her and did very well. At the time, I was practicing with her without anyone knowing about it.
My dad showed Dulcinea at a big show and lost the class. She was still a puppy and the judge told my father that he did not show her well, and he could not reward the puppy. My father did not want to show her anymore that day and was ready to go home. I asked him to let me show the puppy and he said, “But you don’t know how.” I responded, “Dad, please let me show her. Please!”
That day I showed Dulcinea at the second show and won Best Puppy, Reserve Best of Breed, Group 3 Adult, and Best in Show Puppy. My father and mother were amazed how well I showed Dulcinea, and from that day forward I was the one who showed all their Dobermans.
Q: What made you decide to become a professional handler?
A: I was working full-time at the age of 18 and showing dogs for other people during my first two years of vet school. It was becoming difficult to manage showing dogs full-time and attending school, so I had to decide between the two. I chose to follow my passion for showing and working with dogs and am so fortunate to love my job.
Q: When and why did you decide to move from Argentina to the United States?
A: I moved from Argentina to Miami, Florida on January 1, 2001, to show dogs for Ada Levine, a lady that I respect and love.
Q: Who were your mentors when starting out in the sport of pedigreed dog shows, and do you still have mentors you go to for advice or opinions?
A: My mentors were William Pacheco and Rosa Rivera.
Q: You have had many amazing wins in your professional dog showing career. Can you please tell our readers about some of your most memorable and special wins?
A: Throughout my career I have had amazing wins like the first time I walked into the ring with Dulcinea–that was out of this world for me. In Argentina I have many number ones; nationals, top twenty, and with many different breeds. One of the more special victories was when I won best of the best with a female Doberman under Barbara Alderman, a judge that I admire.
Here in the USA, I have also had a number one Doberman, placed in the top twenty with Brandon and Lex Luthor, and have won many Pug nationals, including Pug of the year. In 2018 I also won toy of the year, the toy group at Westminster and at the AKC National Championship in Orlando. Every single win from a class to a winner’s is important because of the way we prepare the dogs I show. The time spent with them, and how they give back with affection is very gratifying.
Q: We know your wife Jennifer breeds and shows dogs and your kids come along as well. What does it mean for you to have a family at the show?
A: To have my family coming with me is amazing. It is a lot of work trying to show and have the kids in virtual school these days, but I would not change that a bit. To do what I love and have my family involved is the best
Q: Good assistants are invaluable to help run a tight ship when on the road, at the shows, and sometimes at home. Can you please tell our readers what you look for in a good assistant and what you hope to teach them in return?
A: During the years I have had many assistants. What I look for is a simple dedication and love for the dogs. While we are working, I always try to pass things along that I have learned during my career and talk about it. Every handler has their own recipe, but we all love and want happy dogs that desire to be with us and get noticed in the ring–this is very important for an assistant to learn. There are many things to learn and teach in this sport, but for me, the most important is the respect that we need to have for our four-legged friends.
Q: What is your favorite breed to own, breed, and show (these can be three different breeds) and why?
A: I love dogs in general. My three choices are the Doberman, Pug, and Bullmastiff because I have had many years showing these breeds and living with them.
Q: What are your favorite thing and least favorite thing about being a handler?
A: My favorite thing about being a handler is playing with dogs all day, and when you love what you do, it does not seem like work. For me, there are no least favorite things about being a handler.
Q: A difficult question but can you please tell us your favorite dog you have shown so far?
A: I can mention so many dogs that have been and are my favorites. I can tell you that Biggie the Pug has stolen the heart of my family like none other–we miss him.
Q: What dog past or present, not shown by you, would you have loved to show?
A: I would have loved to show the Doberman Indy, shown by Andy Lynton, a person that I admire in and out of the ring
Q: What is your favorite show to attend each year and why?
A: My favorite show is Orlando; because it is a big show, not benched, and normally has great weather.
Q: How do you feel about the change of venue and date for the Westminster Kennel Club?
A: I think the people who are organizing Westminster are trying to do their best and I applaud them for their efforts.
Q: Would you like to become a judge someday?
A: Yes, I think becoming a judge at some point would be a lot of fun.
Q: Who is the person-owner/breeder/handler, or judge that you most respect and why?
A: A person that I respect a lot in this sport is Gwen Demilta.
Q: If you were not a professional handler what career would you choose?
A: My other career choice would have been as a veterinarian.
Q: How do you see shows after Covid?
A: I hope we can go back to normal, and until then we are trying to do our best. The clubs are doing a great job, and it takes a lot of work to put a show together. People are working very hard to make that happen, so I don’t have enough words to thank them for the effort.
